Resistance Pictures Inc - The Girl Inside the Photograph

During an investigation into the disappearance of her cat, lonely teenage Freya Lundstrum begins to uncover the gruesome history of her house. Each new piece of information points to one conclusion -inhuman precedence lurking within the walls of 230 Briar Rd. Realizing that she cannot defeat the enemy alone, Freya seeks the help of two former occupants. But, time is running out for Freya to save herself and her mother from becoming the house's latest victims.

FESTIVALS OFFICIAL SELECTIONS

WORLD PREMIERE DANCES WITH FILMS: NY2026 (MIDNIGHT PROGRAMMING)

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2026 @ 11:30 PM

REGAL UNION SQUARE CINEMAS

(850 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, NY 10003)

"Ranked in the top 10 best-reviewed film festivals on FilmFreeway out of over 14,000 festivals worldwide."

Executive Summary

LENGTH: 108 min.

GENERE: HORROR / SCI-FI

FILMING DAYS: MARCH 17 to APRIL 01, 2023

LOCATION: LANGLEY, BC, CANADA

RECOGNITIONS

“Honourable Mention for its creativity, storytelling, and execution.” This distinction is reserved for projects our programming team felt were truly exceptional

“8/10 Overall Rating (92nd Percentile).” Strong Consideration

– Greenlight Coverage

Praised for originality (9/10), emotional engagement (9/10), and a fresh twist on haunted house tropes with sci-fi/cosmic horror elements.”

- Greenlight Coverage

TRAILER

TEASERS

MAIN CAST

Jaira Brownlee as Freya Lundstrum

Donald Rogers as Ray

Marie Issermann as Alice Lundstrum

Ivan Sadovsky as Hugo Petroff

Abigail Hunt as Marcy

JAIRA BROWNLEE

FREYA LUNDSTRUM

Vancouver-based Jaira Brownlee is an actress par excellence, brimming with passion and talent. Her inspiring dedication towards the art of acting has already earned her roles in over 20 short films, a new TV series, and even a lead role in the feature film "The Girls Inside the Photograph." With her relentless pursuit of excellence and dedication to skill development, Jaira is a rising star in the entertainment industry, and her future in acting looks exceptionally bright. (IMDb)

MARIE ISSERMANN

ALICE LUNDSTRUM

Born and raised in France, near Paris, Marie started acting at 8 for TV/film productions. Later, she graduated from Drama schools in Paris and London, where she lived for seven years. Since then, she has appeared in many stage productions and short films. Her stage credits include Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet” and Hermia in "A Midsummer Night's Dream". In 2019, she was cast as the lead in "You May Kiss the Bride,” a short film which received several awards. Marie now lives in Vancouver, Canada. (IMDb)

DONALD A. ROGERS

RAYMOND WALKER

Donald A. Rogers is a true inspiration who has proven that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. Despite facing challenges with his nervous system condition, Don has never let it stop him from pursuing his dreams and creating incredible works of art. He is like a Renaissance artist, constantly studying and improving his craft. Don's charisma and creativity shine through his projects, from short films to documentaries. His biographical documentary "Still" was nominated for the prestigious Leo Awards. Don's perseverance and passion for his work remind us that we can overcome obstacles and achieve greatness. (IMDb)

IVAN SADOVSKY

HUGO PETROFF

Ivan Sadovsky is a talented Ukrainian-Canadian actor and model based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He has a remarkable track record of involvement in various award-winning short films, showcasing his versatility and range as an actor. Ivan is committed to his craft and is currently undergoing rigorous training at The O.A. Training Studio with Vas Saranga, a renowned actor, writer, and producer known for his work on popular TV shows like Firestarter, Transplant, and The Handmaid's Tale. With Vas Saranga's guidance and Ivan's hard work and dedication, he is determined to break into the highly competitive TV/Film industry. Ivan's passion for acting and undeniable talent make him a rising star to watch in the industry. (IMDb)

ABIGAIL HUNT

DETECTIVE MARCY

Abigail Hunt is a talented actress with a passion for the craft. She was born in Tulelake, CA, to Jeanne and John, a nurse and a farmer. Growing up, Abigail spent her time riding horses, driving tractors, and helping out on the family farm. Her love for acting began in the 7th grade when she was cast in her first role in the school play "The Murder Room." Over the next six years, she continued to hone her skills through theatre and summer film camp. Abigail graduated from high school as Valedictorian and earned her Bachelor of Science from California State University, Long Beach. Shortly after graduation, she began her acting career in Los Angeles. Abigail has since appeared in over 25 projects, including American Horror Story on Fox. She is a dedicated and hardworking actress who will make a lasting impact in the entertainment industry. (IMDb)

DIRECTORS

ED ALEXANDER (Director, Screenwriter, Executive Producer, Cam Op, Editor)

The journey of a film director is often remarkable, and Ed Alexander is no exception. His passion for filmmaking was discovered at a young age, and he spent countless hours studying the art form, honing his craft, and perfecting his skills. After graduating from Infocus Film School in Vancouver, BC, Canada, he met David Michan, his former Film Director instructor, with whom they quickly connected and started collaborating. Together, they co-directed the feature film "The Girl Inside the Photograph," which is slated for release in Spring 2025.

Ed’s exceptional talent and creativity quickly became evident to their peers and instructors, and he quickly rose to become one of the best students in their class. His dedication to his work and his aim to create compelling films that captivate and inspire audiences are admirable.

Ed’s hard work and perseverance earned him the distinction award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the field.

In addition to co-directing "The Girl Inside the Photograph," he directed and wrote the screenplay for two short films, "The Carousel" and "Memory Lane," which have garnered critical acclaim for their originality and emotional impact. His unique vision and storytelling abilities have captured the attention of audiences and industry professionals alike.

Currently, he is working on their second horror feature film, which promises to be another thrilling ride.

Film Director David Michan is honoured to have graduated from the esteemed Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica, a globally recognized cinema school named one of the top ten by The Hollywood Reporter. Acceptance into this highly competitive program is reserved for only fifteen alumni annually. He is proud to have written, produced, and directed his first feature film, "Adverse Reactions" or "Reacciones Adversas," which was completed within a modest budget and in just eighteen days of filming. Its worldwide success included multiple accolades, including Best Director, Best Movie, Best Editing, and Best Actor awards, as well as an official selection in over thirty international film festivals.

David Michan has received high praise for his work in the film industry. The Canadian Press described his debut feature film as “a slow-burning thriller from Mexico with echoes of Taxi Driver, Memento, and Fight Club. The writer, director, and editor, David Michan.”
He has been recognized for his work in various screenplay competitions, including the Fright Night Film Fest, the British Horror Film Festival, and the ScreamCraft Horror Script Contest.
He was also awarded the Encouragement of Cinematographic Creators scholarship by IMCINE, where he was advised by film director Jorge Michel Grau.
In addition, he participated in the 12° Course of the Development of Cinematographic Projects in Madrid, Spain, by IBERMEDIA and Fundación Carolina, where he was mentored by David Muñoz, screenwriter for Guillermo del Toro's The Devil's Backbone, and Alejandro Hernández, screenwriter for All of the Women, Winner of the 2014 Goya for Best Screenwriter.
David Michan has also directed numerous promotions for the television series for Telemundo-NBC Universal Network, for which he received various awards in the USA. He currently holds the position of Lead Film Directing Instructor at Infocus Film School in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

David Michán (Director, Producer, Editor, Post Production Supervisor)

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

From Ed Alexander & David Michán:

"We crafted The Girl Inside the Photograph as a love letter to the indie horror genre-raw, intimate, and unflinching. Drawing from personal experiences with loss and the shadows of family secrets, we wanted to subvert the haunted house trope by infusing it with sci-fi cosmic horror, where the true terror isn't ghosts, but the inhuman forces that exploit our deepest vulnerabilities. Shot guerrilla-style in the misty woods of British Columbia, this film is a testament to collaboration with our incredibly talented cast and crew, who brought heart and horror to every frame. We're thrilled to premiere at Dances With Films: NY, a festival that champions bold, uncompromised visions like ours. Expect a story that lingers, provokes, and terrifies."

Day 10 of 16

PRODUCTION NOTES

Filmed over 16 days in the hauntingly isolated forests and suburbs of Langley, BC, “The Girl Inside the Photograph” was a micro-budget passion project emphasizing practical effects, location authenticity, and emotional depth over CGI spectacle. The directors drew inspiration from 1950s wartime experimentation lore and classic Disney cartoons (like the public-domain “The Mad Doctor”, 1933, looped enigmatically in the film) to weave psychological realism with otherworldly terror.

Post-production focused on a desaturated, Polaroid-esque colour palette to evoke faded memories and creeping unease. The score blends ambient synths with distorted folk elements, underscoring themes of fractured families and existential horror. All cast and crew are Vancouver-based emerging talents, fostering a tight-knit, collaborative energy that mirrors the film's intimate stakes.

CRITICAL ACCLAIME

“A highly original, emotionally resonant screenplay that shows tremendous potential... The writing and vision are extremely strong.”

- Greenlight Coverage. (8/10, 92nd Percentile)

“The strained relationship between Freya and Alice is heartbreaking yet captivating... The descent into horror and trauma is profoundly affecting.”

-Greenlight Coverage (Emotional Engagement: 9/10)

“Very creative and visionary... Themes of dysfunctional families, mental illness, and overcoming trauma resonate strongly."

- Greenlight Coverage (Originality: 9/10; Theme & Message: 8/10)

MOVIE STILLS